Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1887-03-11
FOrbearance of Speech.

There is something tender and
touching; in the expression Forbear-
ance of speech" and at first thought
it awakens in my mind emotions akin
to those which are aroused when l
think of the line, Woodman spare
that tree" How like the woodman's
AK harsh words cut and mangle the
sensitive heart-strings, and destroy
peace OF mind and contentment Of
soul. But upon second thought l find
the sentimental view dissolving and a
more practical picture presenting it.
self. We live under conditions when
it seems necessary to have common
sense to hold sentimentalism in abey-
an3e. The grand old forest tree must
not stir the heart or stay the arm of
the woodman; the axe must be laid at
the root of the tree; the soil that sup
ported it in its beauty and grandeur
must nourish life Of higher order.
Orchards and gardens will thrive where
the monarch of the forest has fallen.
In exceptional cases only can we say
Woodman spare that tree" So it is
in the exercise of speech; for the COM
mon good Of pupil, child, companion
or friend there should be little forbear-
ance in the use of forcible Anglo-saxon
words. Sentimental forbcarance is re-
served for fashionable calls, party chit
chat and for pastime with those with
whom we have little affection, and in
whom we feel little interest.
With children, whose physical and
mental training devolves upon us, it
must be line upon line and precept
upon precept. From hard, waspish
raspings We may forbear, but from
chidings, admonitions and firm COM
mands we must not desist. The mind
of child is like a garden, the weeds
which seem to spring up spontaneously
must be rooted out by a discipline
firm if not severe. The forbearance of
supertluous words and the judicious
exercise and enforcement of the two
short ones, yes and no, would bring
about wonders in the management of
| children.
Speech is but the articulate express
sion of thought, and utterance or
fOrbearance of speech must pro-
ceed from the thoughts, so we
find ourselves dealing with the
mysterious labyrinths of the mind,
and l almost despair of seeing
my way clear to a view of the subject
which will prove of any practical use
to us. 1t is easy for us to say when to
forbear, but not so easy to tell how to
do it. Suppose n child is in the habit
of prevaricating, the teacher or parent
should be able to make diagnosis of
the mental weakness, as Il physician is
to determine physical disease. Does
the defect proceed from vivid imagi-
nation, large appropriateness or small
conscientiousness? If the symptoms,
by which the disease may be deter
mined were known, it would not be so
difficult to apply suitable remedies.
But is it surprising that mental sooth-
ing syrup is administered when drastic
appliances would be more eflicacious,
or vice versa, when SO much ignorance
exists upon subjects pertaining to the
faculties of the human soul. Fathers
find time to improve fruit and stock,
but no time nor disposition to under
stand and practice the laws by which
the human family may be benefited
and elevated; mothers find time to fuss
and frill for the bodies of their child
rem, and so often neglect the flowers
and fragrance of the immortal mind.
"Out OF the abundance of the heart
the mouth speaketh"; the phrenologi-
cal Interpretation of this might be that
the predominant faculties make them
selves heard through the organs of
speech. Listen to the billing and COO
ing of the turtle-doves on the front
door-steps of moonlight night-per-
haps slightly nauseating to one who
has grown out of the cooling age, and
whose eyes have been opened to the
fact that such expressings of fond en-
dearments are the language of the
same faculty, which is often abused to
such an extent as to weaken the high
er powers of the soul and dwarf
and debase the rising generations. The
billing and cooling is all right in its
place, but the daughter should be
taught the language and nature of the
faculty from which such expressions
emenate, and be admOnished not to
heed such expressions unless the
young man possesses good benevO-
lence, large cOnscientiOusness, force of
will, love of home, fOndness for child
rem, supplemented by traits of charac-
ter, educational requirements and ac-
complishments, that she admires in
other friends and in whose society she
fells comfortable and happy. Shall we
forbear to speak upon this subject
when the fate of unborn generations
depend upon the action taken in this